Call them a flock of Eagles.
The Pine Creek football program has wholeheartedly taken to a team mentality. So much so that every player shares the same name on their backs: “One team.” It’s a concept that’s worked well as Pine Creek (11-2) will take on Montrose (12-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday for the Class 4A state championship at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
“We had a group of seniors that bought into that and that filtered through all the way down to our freshman level — that philosophy of putting team before self,” Pine Creek coach Todd Miller said. “It’s where we’re at right now.”
But the idea isn’t just reserved for the football field. It’s been embraced by the surrounding community northeast of Colorado Springs.
“We wandered around town and people would say, ‘Go win for us,’ ” senior linebacker Matt List said. “It was a big deal for us.”
The idea was brought up by List in the spring, Miller said. It’s a concept he had heard from senior teammates when he was an underclassman, and he wanted to keep that dream alive. When the summer arrived, the Black Forest Fire hit nearby.
“It all started with the fires. It was rough for us. Two of our teammates lost their homes,” List said. “We really as a team, as one team, came together.”
Soon after, assistant coach Andy Colgate’s wife, Stephanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Again the team and the community rallied together.
“You see the good in people when they come to help,” Miller said, “and you know that you have to rely on someone else and it’s not about you.”
The football team has latched onto the concept of sharing the ball. Twelve players have scored offensive touchdowns, led by senior Scotty Savage with 13. He is also the team’s leading receiver. Of those 12 players, eight have totaled at least 200 yards rushing and/or receiving.
“We wear ‘one team’ on the back of our jerseys for a reason,” Miller said. “In a society that is selfish, we have a bunch of selfless guys.”
When the Eagles hit the field Saturday, they are reminded that they will be playing for more than themselves. Each has a Black Forest Fire patch on the front of their jerseys.
“We know that we have a lot of people to play for,” List said.
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or
Soaring Eagles
A look at Pine Creek’s game by games results this season. The Eagles (11-2) play Montrose for the Class 4A state title on Saturday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High at 11 a.m.
Regular season
23 Fountain-Fort Carson 14
14 at Lakewood 27
7 at Columbine 28
42 Vista Ridge 7
42 Liberty 0
29 at Falcon 13
70 at Sand Creek 27
42 Ponderosa 7
42 at Air Academy 0
48 Rampart 24
Playoffs
35 Pueblo West 18
25 Windsor 0
21 at Monarch 7
Team leaders
Leading rusher: Austin Schultz, 125 carries, 933 yards, 11 TDs, 7.5 avg.
Leading passer: Tommy Lazarro, 93-of-185, 1,720 yards, 21 TDs, 7 interceptions
Leading receiver: Scotty Savage, 23 catches, 550 yards, 7 TDs
